Return bend for oil stills and the like



H. E. MUcHNlc 2,046,029

Filed News, 1934 s Sheets-sheet 1 www. MJ m5 y .-.hme 3o, 1936.

RETURN BEND FOR OIL STILLS AND THE LII-(E June so', 1936. H, E MUCHNIC r2,046,029

' RETURN BEND FOR OIL STILLS AND THE LIKE Filed Nov'. y5, 1934 3 SheetjS-She'eb 2 ggggggg Patented `une 30, 1936 UNITED STATES RETURN BEND FOR OIL STILLS AND THE LIKE Henry E. Muchnic, Atchison, Kans., assigner to The Locomotive Finished Material Company, Atchison, Kans., a corporation of Kansas Application November 5, 1934, Serial No. 751,531

2 Claims.

My invention relates to headers or return bends especially intended for oil cracking stills and relates more particularly to the closure devices for the return bends and means whereby the latter may be removed.

The invention has as a primary object the provision of construction wherein effective closure for the openings which are aligned with the tubes may be obtained by means of simple gaskets instead of by means of tapered plugs and plug-seats as heretofore employed.

Another object of my invention is to provide a structure wherein the relation between the clo sure eiecting elements is such that .pressure will be applied directly over and against the joint forming gasket, or closely adjacent thereto.

Another object of my invention is to provide a construction wherein the over-all height or dimensions of the fixture or return bend is greatly reduced.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a construction wherein the closure element or plug and the wall of the return bend or housing may be provided with interengaging surfaces whereby rotation of the closure element or plug will be prevented during movement of the pressure applying means.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a closure element or plug having a puller tool engaging surface whereby easy attachment of the plug puller thereto may b'e readily effected; the plug being also formed to provide a limit stop for the puller to prevent too far rotative movement of the puller and thus ensure an even or uniform pulling eect on the plug.

The foregoing enumerated objects and the advantages inherent in the invention will all be more readily comprehended from the following detailed description of the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a partial plan and partial sectional view of the construction as illustrated in Figure 2; the section being taken substantially on line I -I of Figure 2 as viewed by the arrows.

Figure 2 is a section taken substantially on line 2--2 of Figure 1, as viewed by the arrows.

Figure 3 is a plan with portions broken away showing application of the plug puller.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 4 4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a sectional detail taken on the line 5--5 of Figure 3 as viewed by the arrows.

Figure 6 is a longitudinal section of a portion of V header or return bend showing a modifled form oi' pressure applying member.

(Cl. 13S-95) passage II, the ends Awhereof receive the ends of 10 a pair of pipes or tubes of which merely portions are shown at I2, I2; these tubes being secured in the header in a suitable manner.

The opposite wall of the header I0, at points substantially in alignment with the tubes I2, is l5 provided with bores or openings I3, I3.

These bores I3, communicate with the arcuate channel II and thus provide access to the tubes- I2 for the periodical cleaning especially necessary in oil cracking stills.

The wall of the header and encircling the bores I3 is provided with the annular gasket receiving grooves I4 which are intendedto receive a suitable gasket I5 whereby a fluid tight closure is effected when the gasket has been subjected to proper pressure.

'I'his side or wall of the header I0 is also provided with the outstanding annular walls I6 delining a greater circumference than thevannular gasket receiving grooves i4; thexlannular walls being preferably-united as shown bythe web portion I1; While the inner circumferential surfaces oi these walls are preferably screw-threaded throughout as shown in Figure 2. These annular walls I6 are of a size to provide a suiiicient threaded surface `whereby the pressureapplying members I8 may obtain suiiicient purchase.

The bores I3 are intended to receive the closure members or plugs I9, of a deilector type wherein the inner ends are formed arcuate in keeping with the curvature of the channel I I; and these plugs preferably are made tapering as shown.

In order that the closure elements or plugs I9, especially when made with the inner ends constituting a portion of the arcuate channel II, may be properly positioned in the bores I3,V I have shown each closure member or plug preferably provided with the radially disposed extension or lug 20, which is so arranged, relative to the slope or direction of curvature at the inner end of the plug, that the positioning of the plug will be controlled.

The annular walls I 6 are each provided with a slot 2| disposed throughout the width of the walland communicating with the inner circumference ofthe wall. These slots are adapted to receive the extensions or lugs 2li of the closure or plug members it as more clearly shown in Figure s i. It is apparent also that the slots and lugs will hold the plug members i9 against rotation which might be induced during screwing into place of the pressure applying members le.

The pressure applying members are externally threaded so as to screw into the annular pockets provided by the annular walls iii; and the outer surfaces -preferably provided with an angular or wrencli'-r'eceiving boss portion 22.

rl'he inner ends of the pressure applying members or cap nuts Id are shown hollowed out or dished at 23 in order to provide clearance for and to receive the puller tool grasping flanged boss or enlargement 213.

This boss or enlargement 2Q is shown preferably provided with the sectoral flanges 25, 25 which provide grasping surfaces for a suitable puller as for example of the type shown in Figures 3, l and 5 and hereinafter described.

The parts are assembled by rst providing the groove iii with a suitable gasket I5 and then putting closure member or plug It in place. Where the plug is of the deector type the lug 20 is brought to register with the end of slot 2i in the annular wall, allowing the closure member or plug to be forced toward its seat. rIhe flange or cap portion 28 of the plug, on its inner surface, is also provided with an annular socket or groove 2l, adapted to register with groove It in the wall of the header and to receive the annular gasket I5i.

The cap or pressure applying member I8 is then screwed into the -threaded portion of the annular wall I8 so as to bring it into contact with the plug Id.

The inner surface of the cap member I8 is preferably formed with an annular bead 28 arranged to engage the flange of plug member I9 directly opposite the groove 21 and hence in circumferential alignment with the gasket I5. The bead 28 is preferably formed with a short arc so as to afford a comparatively narrow bearing contact with the plug-flange and hence reduce the frictional relation between cap or pressure applying member I8 and the plug I9 during pressure applying movement of member i8. Through the application of a suitable wrench or tool to the angularly formed boss 22, the cap member I8 may be very tightly screwed down onto the plug member I8, causing a pressure resisting and duid-tight closure to be effected through the medium oi the gasket I5. As is apparent from the construction shown, the pressure is applied in a relatively large circular plane directlysin alignment with the gasket and with the main walls oi the head so that distortion of the closure members or plug's is not likely during the high temperatures and pressures to which return bends are subjected during still operation.

ln oil still operation it is periodically necessary to clean the tubes and return bends and hence it becomes necessary in return headers of the general type here in question to remove the closure members or plugs I9; which, however, requires application of considerable power because of the coking or gummlng up of the plugs.

It is necessary therefore to employ a suitable tool whereby a directpull on the plug may be exerted. The plugs is are therefore shown provided with the sectoral flanges 25, 25 in order to receive the bifurcations or jaws 2e of the puller element 3d, see Figure fl. 2@ are turned upwar to engage beneath the aoeaoae The ends of the jaws flanges 25, 25; and in order to ensure proper positioning of these jaws, I provide the bottom surfaces of the flanges 25 with a suitable limiting stop, such as a lug or depression or recess as shown at 3i on .the lower sides of the flanges 25, 25, see 5 Figure 4. This prevents the too far turning of the puller during its application to the plug.

rlihe shank portion of the puller 30 is shown screw threaded throughout and passes through a suitable opening in the yoke member 32 whose ends are adapted 'to rest on the walls I6 ofthe header; the ends of the yoke member are preferably turned downwardly to prevent transverse movement of theyoke member.

Upon screwing down nut 33 on shank of puller 38, the puller will be drawn outwardly toward the yoke 32, when the nut 33 is in firm relation with the yoke, thereby causing the plug I9 to be drawn out of the header unit I0.

It is evident that a great pulling force is not 20 only obtained but the pulling forceis also exerted in direct alignment with the longitudinal axis of the plug Id.

In Figure 6 I illustrate a modification wherein y the extended wall I6 of the header or return bend 20 Iil is also internally threaded and provided with a closure member or plug I9a, substantially similar to the construction shown in Figure 2. 'I'he header luis also shown with an annular groove for reception of the gasket I5. The plug I9a. has the outer surface of its pulled grasping boss or enlargement 24a preferably provided with a central arcuate socket at 34. The pressure applying member or cap 35 is externally threaded to screw r into the annular pocket formed by the extended 3" wall I6, with its outer surface provided with an angular or wrench receiving boss portion 36. The inner surface ofthe member 35 is somewhat cupped to permit it to have suflicient threaded engagement with the extended side wall. The center of the member 35 is provided with an arcuate boss or enlargement 31 which is adapted to seat in the arcuate socket 34 of plug member Isa when the cap member 35 has been sufdciently screwed into the pocket formed by the extended wall I6. It is apparent that when cap member 35 is screwed down into the pocket the boss 31 Awill force the plug member inwardly and cause its annular flange to compress the gasket I5 or to eeot fluid-tight relation with the header. In this construction, the plug is subjected to a centralized pressure and this pressure is applied during the single operation oi' applying the cap member. A

In Figure 7 another modification is shown, wherein the header I0 is also provided with an annular extended wall I6 disposed about the opening and this wall I6 internally threaded as shown in Figure 2. The annular pocket formed by the wall I6 is intended to receive the pressure 60 applying member or cap 38, whose outer perimeter is screw-threaded to screw into the annular pocket. The inner side'of the cap member is provided with an annular bead portion 39 disvposed slightly beyond the threaded portion and 65 tion that in addition to the pressure on plug lea exerted by cap member 38, pressure may also be centrally applied to the plug by means of screwbolt 4t.

Figure 8 illustrates a modication wherein the header element is not provided with an annular wall extended outwardly about the opening and the pressure applying cap member is eliminated. 'Ihe header member 4I is shown provided with the gasket receiving groove which receives the gasket l5. In this construction the plug member 42 has its annular ange 43 provided with a plurality of preferably equally spaced holes for passage of the stud-bolts 44 therethrough. The stud-bolts screw into tapped holes 45 in the header member 5l; and the flange of the plug member42 is forced into fluid-tight relation with the gasket I5 (which also seats in a groove in the plug member 42) by nuts 46.

The nuts on all of the stud-bolts are preferably screwed down on the stud-bolts M to an equal degree so as to effect equal pressure on the ange of the plug member.

It is apparent that the fluid-tight relation between the headers and the plug members may be effected by different means or types of gaskets; the type illustrated being, however, thought to be very effective.

The constructions shown in the drawings are believed to be the best embodiments and have been described in terms employed for purposes of description and not as terms of limitation as structural modifications are possible and may be made without, however, departing from the spirit of my invention.

What I claim is:-

1. In a return bend of the character described the combination of a header provided with a return passage whose orifices are located in one wall While the opposite wall is provided `with a pair of openings communicating with opposite ends of said passage and annular walls disposed about said openings at a distance therefrom, said walls being threaded on their inner circumferences; a closure plug adapted to extend into each opening and provided with an annular flange adapted to lap the main wall of the header about the opening and to ilt within the annular wall; the flange of the closure plug and the main wall of the header having complemental annular grooves; an annular gasket seatable and compressible in said complemental grooves; and pressure applying members dished on their inner faces and each provided with a rounded annular perimeter adapted to seat on the iiange of the closure plug, said members having threaded perimeters adapted to screw into the annular walls and thereby force the rounded perimeters into pressure applying relation with the ilanges of the closure plugs at points substantially above the gasket receiving grooves in the flanges of said plugs.

2. In a return bend of the character described, the combination of a header provided with a return passage whose orices are located in one wall while the oppoiste wall is provided with a pair of openings aligned with said orifices and communicating with. said passage, the header about each of said pair of openings being provided with an annular wall of greater circumferential dimensions than the diameter of the opening, said annular wall being threaded on its inner perimeter and provided with a slot extending transversely of the threads from top to bottom of said wall; a closure plug of the defiector type adapted to extend into each opening and provided with an annular disc portion adapted to lap the main wall of the header about the opening and to fit within the annular wall. said annular disc portion being provided with a radially disposed lug adapted to t into the slot in the annular wall, the lower side of the disc portion and the main wall of the header being provided with complemental annular grooves; an annular gasket seatable and compressible in said complemental grooves, and a cap-nut member having a dished inner face adapted to screw into each of said annular walls, the inner faces of said cap-nut members each formed with an annular protruding surface adapted to engage with the disc portion of the respective closure plug at a point substantially in alignment with said annular gasket.

HENRY E. MUCHNIC. 

